Model of the development of the Rif/Prerif basin and implications for the hydrocarbon prospectivity of northern Morocco

Conference · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)

OSTI ID:5720624

Munro, S E ^[1]

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1. Williams Brothers Engineering Co., Haddington (Scotland)

The geology of northern Morocco is dominated by the mountainous areas of the Rif and the Prerif. These mountains form the southern half of the Rif-Betic arc. The surface geology of the Prerif area is characterized by the allochthonous mass of the Prerif nappe, which is variously described as a tectonic melange, an olistostrome, or a combination of the two. It is structurally extremely complex and this fact has, in the past, deterred international companies from exploring for oil in the area. Recently acquired seismic data shed some light on the structure within the Prerif nappe; it tends to support a tectonic origin rather than one based on gravity drive. In this framework, a model is proposed for the tectonic development of the Rif/Prerif in particular and the Rif/Betic arc in general, based upon the interaction of the Iberian, Moroccan, and Alboran plates from the Triassic to the Neogene. The seismic data also show, however, that a sizeable Mesozoic trough exists beneath the mass of the Prerif nappe. In addition, several piggyback basins are developed above the nappe. Therefore, considerable potential for oil and gas discoveries exists both above and below the nappe.

• OSTI ID: 5720624
• Report Number(s): CONF-8809346--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA) Journal Volume: 72:8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
AFRICA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
MESOZOIC ERA
MINERAL RESOURCES
MOROCCO
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
SURVEYS
TECTONICS
TRIASSIC PERIOD